The Pacific Small Island Developing States members met in Nuku’alofa on Wednesday as part of their missions to address issues in which they become challenges to the islands’ sustainable development.
These Pacific Islands commonly have limited resources, they are susceptible to natural disasters, vulnerable to external shocks and excessively dependent on international trade.
Tonga’s Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva in his opening speech told members the “meeting is a timely and great opportunity for members to discuss the continued importance of the issues of sustainable development, oceans and climate change”.
Hon Pohiva said: “with the support of regional CROP, United Nations (UN) and other agencies together with technical experts, the meeting will be able to plan and map out a strategy for PSIDS engagement at the United
He acknowledged the support of the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden to the meeting which is the largest per capita contributor to the Green Climate Fund, a source of funding that helps PSIDS funds their projects intiated to combat climate change effects in the Pacific.
Her Excellency, Mrs Isabella Lövin “urged the meeting that it is everyone’s responsibility to cooperate” in fighting against these challenges.
She also noted that this meeting marks the first Ministerial visit of the Kingdom of Sweden to the Pacific, and called for continuing deepening of the relationship between Sweden and the Pacific.
